Brisbane Roar custodian Michael Theo has resumed full training and is eyeing a swift return to the defending champions’ starting line-up.
Theo has not played for the Roar after breaking his wrist in pre-season training. He required an operation in which a plate and nine pins were required to help repair the break.
Jamie Young stepped up in his absence and played every match as the Roar posted three wins and three draws in the opening 13 rounds of the season.
But the fit-again Theo said he is feeling good and ready to take the next step in his recovery.
“I’m rapt to be back training in full capacity with the rest of the guys. It’s been a slow process and it has been a bit frustrating as you want to be out there as quickly as you can,’’ he said.
“Now that I am out there, it’s good for the club to obviously have myself back with my experience and winning mentality and I am looking forward to the next two weeks and being available for the next game at home against Wellington.”
The 33-year-old has gradually increased his training workload and says he is starting to feel more confident with his wrist after taking part in a series of shooting drills.
“There were a few stringers there, a few hard shots,” he said.
“That was good from a mental perspective. It is good to be back out there doing shooting drills and stopping those shots. Mentally I feel good, physically I feel good, it’s just a matter of getting that sharpness back in training and then playing matches.
“My sole focus in recent months was recovering well from the wrist injury. It’s been small steps and now I am focused on the second half of our season.
“There’s still a lot of football to play and I am ready to contribute to the team to make sure we turn our season around, make the [Hyundai A-League] finals and do well in Asian Champions League.”
